Introduction: Our knowledge of implant losses for bone-anchored hearing devices (BAHD) is still limited. This study examined the long-term survival rate, the reasons for implant loss, and the need for implant replacement in a large cohort with a long follow-up.
Method: Retrospective study of patients who received a BAHD between January 1977 and December 2011 as identified from records of operations performed. All data were retrieved from patient records.
Results: A total of 571 patients were found in the surgical records. Seven patients were excluded because of incomplete data. The follow-up period was up to 32 years, with a median follow-up of 6.6 years. Implant failures were identified in 46 (8.2%) of the patients. A total of 763 implants were inserted. Of these, 141 (18%) implants were lost: 109 (14%) due to lost osseointegration, 21 (3%) due to trauma, while 11 were electively removed. Twenty-seven patients had 1 implant reinstallation, whereas 5 patients had 2 reinstallations. Nine patients were reinstalled three times and five patients were reinstalled 4 to 6 times. Of 141 implants lost, 78 (55%) were lost in 19 patients with 2 or more implant losses.
Conclusion/implications: Implant failures were identified in 8.2% of the patients with a median follow-up time of 6.6 years. A total of 141 (18%) of 763 implants were lost; the majority of losses took place in patients with multiple implant failures.